McShea’s Say: Michael Murphy's Donegal return has warmed spirits 

Attention to detail and strategic innovation is nothing new in Ulster football. 

Down, with Joe Lennon, started it in the 1960s when they broke the stranglehold of basic catch and kick tactics on the game. 

The approach was new, not only to Ulster football, but to every team in the country. Then in the 1990s, Queens University’s Sigerson Cup team led the way in applying international sports science know-how to Gaelic football. 

In Tyrone, under Mickey Harte, his teams won three All-Irelands with what I believe was a scientific approach focused more on quality rather than quantity of training. 

The revelation that Tyrone trained only two nights a week seemed to baffle some of the southern teams who were still convinced that the road to success lay in enduring training regimes. 

But all the technical advances, which are a feature of modern football, would not prevail without players who have an outstanding ability to put their personal mark on a game with a touch of genius or outstanding skill. 

That is exactly why when I was asked many times in the last week, “what do you think of Michael Murphy coming back?” 

My answer was consistently honest: I was simply delighted to see the greatest player who ever wore the Donegal jersey agree to pull on the famous shirt again. 

Murphy’s decency, leadership qualities and depth of character were all spoke about when he took time out as much as his outstanding achievements as a footballer. 

Michael strived to be a better player every time he walked off the pitch rather than when he walked on it.

He is the embodiment of that. A Donegal training session with Michael Murphy involved will be a better session for him simply being there. 

He is incredibly mature, a real and natural leader in a quiet, unassuming way. I knew he had the right stuff when I first saw him give an outstanding display for our minor team in Clones many years ago. 

But he really bloomed on becoming senior captain as he led his team to glory. The younger members of the Donegal panel will be fortunate to get to play with Michael and will be better footballers because of this. 

Michael has a deep pride in his county and everything about it. Having watched him play in the club championship for his beloved Glenswilly, he was excellent. 

And it is my hope that he will be located close to the opposition goal on his return, where opposing full backs will be guaranteed a torrid time. 

Everyone of us Donegal fans have got a great boost from Michael’s decision and we will feel safe when we get to see him once again put the fear of God in opposing defences on the edge of the square. 

Murphy will become McGuinness’ template for the Donegal team and they should thrive on quick transfer of the ball and rapid movement. 

With their former captain back they should thrive on self-confidence. When Donegal remerge in the new year, reshaped and reborn, Murphy will be at its core. 

Michael’s career beyond football has flowered in many ways and his leadership qualities in his role as head of sport in ATU Donegal sees him play a top-class role in the university. No doubt he will also deliver again in the green and gold.

Noel Tierney, RIP 

One of Gaelic football’s best full-backs, Noel Tierney sadly passed away last Sunday. Noel won three All-Irelands with Galway’s three-in-a-row team from 1964 to 1966.

He won the Texaco Footballer of the Year award in 1964 at the tender age of 22 and he also won five Connacht championship medals as well as Railway Cup and National league medals. 

Noel, predeceased by his son Fergal, is survived by his wife Peggy, son Mairtin and his daughters Aoife and Mairead